Locomotive stoker



Aug..` 16, M38. J. B. MacKENzaE LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Original Filed Jan. 23, 1935 Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCOMO TIVE STOKERr of Delaware Original application January 23, 1935,` Serial No.

Divided and this application January 28, 1937, Serial N0. 122,723

5 Claims.

An object of this invention is to provide in a locomotive Stoker, a new and improved mounting for the conveyor element thereof which extends from beneath the tender fuel bin to the locomotive.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved conveyor for a locomotive stoker comprising a fixed conduit section on the locomotive and a movable conduit section on the tender, the latter at one end being universally connected to the former and permitting longitudinal movement therebetween and at its remote opposite end being mounted for universal movement within a spherical seat.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, such as the novel construction of the parts affording the necessary support for the movable conduit, and the relation of such parts one with another, will become apparent as the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. l is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view through the rearward portion of a locomotive and the forward portion of its tender illustrating the invention applied thereto partly in similar section and partly in elevation;

2 is a plan view of the forward end of the Stoker of the invention with the rebox backhead shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of lig.v l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View in elevation of the forward end portion of the movable conduit section provided with the hinged cover at the universal joint; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. l, showing the spherical seatlike support for the movable conduit section.

Referring to the drawing, the locomotive I0 is provided with a boiler rebox Il, having the gratey I2, a backhead I3, and a cab I4 having the deck or floor I5. The backhead I3 comprises the inner sheet I6 and the outer sheet I1 arranged to form the vertically elongated ring opening I8 extending above and below the cab deck I5 and spaced above the mud ring I9.

Rearward of the locomotive IIJ the tender is indicated at 2i). It is of ordinary construction having the frame 2l, the fuel bunker 22, and the deck or iioor 23 which carries the usual slide plates 24. These slide plates control the flow of the fuel from the fuel bunker into the stoker S which is of novel construction and now will be described.

The stolzer S includes a conveyor 25 leading forwardly from the tender 20, and afuel delivery conveyor 26 which'receives'fuel from `the conveyor 25 and delivers it to a point above the grate I2 for distribution. 'Comprising-the conveyor 25 is the open mouth trough 21 mounted beneath 5 the tender deck 23 `to receive fuel from the bunker 22 through a central aperture 29 in the deck 23, the size-of this aperture being controlled by the shiftable plates 24; Extending forwardly from the trough 2l and rigid therewith is a tubular conduit 3l which `terminates -atits forward end beneath the locomotive cab deck I5 and has loosely telescoped over its forward endv a sleevelike conduit 32. At its, forward end the latter conduit is provided with'a spherical member 33 which is received in the spherical seat 34 of the fuel delivery conduit 35. Aclamp 35 retains the spherical member'33 in its seat 34 to forma universal joint connection 3l between the fuel delivery conduit 35 and the sleeve-like conduit 32. The means for conveying fuel through the stoker includes a conveyorscrew 45 having a portion thereofwithin the tro-ugh 21 and extending forwardly therefrom through the tubular conduit 3| to a point adjacent the universal connection 3f between the fuel delivery conduit 35 and the sleeve-like conduit'32.-At its forward end, the conveyor screw 45 is provided with a jaw 45 which is connected to the jaw 41 of the fuel delivery screw 48 in the conduit 35 by means of pins 49 and ablock 5|] to form a universal joint 5I between the conveyor screws 45 and 48. 'Ihe conveyor screw 45 is drivenfrom its rearward end by the gearing within the gear casing 38 and conveys forwardly the fuel which falls into the trough :3.3 2l from the bunker 22, the fuel being urged against the teeth 52 of a crusher 53 and reduced to a size suitable for efficient firing. The brushed fuel is theny conveyed forwardly by the conveyor screw 45 to the delivery conduit 35 where the screw `48 urgesA the fuel through the upwardly opening mouth 54 of the fuel delivery conduit 35 into Athe zone of action of the distributor member 55 which projects the fuel to all parts of the rebed. I. 45

At times itis necessary to disconnect the conveyor screw 45 andthe fuel delivery screw 48, as for instance when the pins49 or block 5l] are worn to an extent that their replacement is essential.-l Thiscan be readily .accomplished by o an arrangement of parts whichineludes a removably hinged upper forward section 56 of the sleevelike conduit 32, which section includes, as an integral part, a portion of the spherical member 33. The section 56 is hinged to the sleeve-like 55 conduit 35 by means of a lug 51 which engages a bolt 58 passed through the spaced ears 59 of the conduit 32. Lateral movement of the section 56 with reference to the conduit 32 is prevented by providing a seat 60 in the edges of the conduit 32 which are contiguous to the edges of the section 56. The edges of the section 56 are received in the seat 60 and its lower portion extends below the horizontal medial plane of the conduit 32 whereby removal of the pins 49 is facilitated. Upward displacement of the section 56, under normal operating conditions, is prevented by reason of the clamp 36 which is secured to the delivery conduit 35 over the section 56 and by providing this section with a rearwardly extending lug 6I on its upper side which fits beneath the ledge 62 of the conduit 32.

Whenever it is found that the conveyor screws 45 and 48 must be disconnected for any reason, the mechanic removes the bolts 63 which secure the clamp 36 to the delivery conduit 35 and raises the clamp through the opening 64 in the cab deck I5. The upper forward section 56 may then be swung rearwardly to a position as shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 4 whereby the pins 49 and the block may be removed and replaced if found to be worn.

Rearward of discharge mouth 54 is mounted the distributor member which includes a chambered member 61 receiving pressure fluid from the supply line 68 and arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid toward the rebox through the orifices 69. A casing 1I, formed with the conduit 35 extends above the mouth 54 and is provided with inspection openings 12 above the distributor member 55.

Above the casing 1I there is shown a portion of a conventional firedoor 15 which closes the upper portion of the elongated firing opening I8 against outside exposure. The openings at each side of the delivery conduit 35 in the lower portion of this firing opening are closed against rearward exposure by a pair of flanges 16, one extending laterally from each side of the conduit, forming also a means for securing the conduit 35 to the backhead I3 by bolts 11. A further support for the conduit 35 is afforded by providing it with foot pads 18 which are secured by bolts to a bracket 19 carried by the flrebox backhead I3 and mud ring I9.

Fuel emerging from the upwardly opening mouth 54 is swept forwardly across a table 80 by the jets of pressure fluid issuing from the distributor member 55. The table is supported by the conduit 35 and extends forwardly therefrom. The table 80 and the forward portion of the conduit 35 are protected from the intense heat within the firebox by the vertical grate 83.

At the rear of the trough 21 and rigid therewith is a gear casing 38 which houses and maintains in an operative relation suitable gearing (not shown) for driving the stoker conveyors. Power is transmitted to such gearing from the motor 39 by flexible shafting 39a. Depending from the under side of the gear casing 38 is a spherical member 40 which rests in a complementary seat 4I of the supporting bracket 42. By this arrangement, the conveyor 25, at the rearward end thereof, is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis and also about a transverse horizontal axis, It will also be observed that the rearward end of the conveyor 25 is restrained against relative fore and aft movement with reference to the tender 20 by reason of the engagement of the spherical member 40 in the seat 4I. Movement of the conveyor 25 about a longitudinally extending axis is prevented by providing the gear casing 38 with laterally projecting flanges 43, one at each side of the spherical member 40, each flange 43 resting upon a rail 44 formed at each lateral extremity of the bracket 42 and having a convexly curved upper surface. By the described construction, together with the universal joint connection 31 and the telescopic sleeve-like conduit 32, it will be apparent that the necessary flexibility has been provided for the stoker conduits when the locomotive and tender are rounding curves or passing over switches, frogs and turntables.

The particular mounting for the conveyor 25, and the relation of this conveyor With the tender and locomotive can be used advantageously in many smaller locomotives and tenders of the type usually placed in shunting or light passenger service. Since locomotives of this type usually are provided with a short rigid wheelbase Whereby relatively sharp curves may be negotiated, those familiar with the art will readily appreciate that the mounting of the conveyor 25 as herein set forth will provide ample flexibility in the Stoker mechanism without extensive alterations in the existing structures of the locomotive or tender.

This application is a division of my co-pending application for patent Serial No. 3,658, led January 23, i935, for improvements in Stoker, now Patent No. 2,072,821.

claim:

l. In combination with a locomotive having a firebox and a tender provided with an apertured floor with a fuel bunker thereabove, a conveying system for transferring fuel from the bunker to said rebox comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit leading forwardly from the tender and at its forward end being universally connected to the rearward end of the rst named conduit, said second named conduit including an open mouth trough disposed on the tender beneath the apertured floor to receive fuel directly from said bunker, said second named conduit at the under side of its rearward end being provided with a member having a spherical surface, means carried by said tender having a complementary spherical surface which is arranged with the spherical surface of said member to form a support for the second named conduit whereby the latter is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis and also about a transversely extending horizontal axis, the depth of engagement of said complementary spherical surfaces being no greater than the radius of curvature of said spherical surfaces, such mounting of the conduit restraining fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof and also movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis.

2. In combination with a locomotive having a rebox and a tender provided with an apertured iicor with a fuel bunker thereabove, a conveying system for transferring fuel from the bunker to said rebox comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit leading forwardly from the tender and at its forward end being universally connected to the rearward end of the first named conduit, said second named conduit including an open mouth trough disposed on the tender beneath the apertured floor to receive fuel directly from said bunker, said second named conduit at the under side of its rearward end being provided with a member having a spherical surface, means carried by said tender having a complementary spherical surface which is arranged with the spherical surface of said member to form a support for the second named conduit whereby the latter is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis and also about a transversely extending horizontal axis, the depth of engagement of said complementary spherical surfaces being no greater than the radius of curvature of said spherical surfaces, such mounting of the conduit restraining fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof and also movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis, said second named conduit being extensible and contractible intermediate the ends thereof.

3. In combination with a locomotive having a l'irebox and a tender provided with an apertured floor with a fuel bunker thereabove, a conveying system for transferring fuel from the bunker to said rebox comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit leading forwardly from the tender and at its forward end being universally connected to the rearward end of the first named conduit, said second named conduit including an open mouth trough disposed on the tender beneath the apertured floor to receive fuel directly from said bunker, said second named conduit at the under side of its rearward end being provided with a member having a spherical surface, means carried by said tender having a complementary spherical surface which is arranged with the spherical surface of said member to form a support for the second named conduit whereby the latter is mounted to pivot about a vertical aids and also about a transversely extending horizontal axis, the depth of engagement of said complementary spherical surfaces being no greater than the radius of curvature of said spherical surfaces, such mounting of the conduit restraining fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof and also movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis, said second named conduit being extensible and contractible adjacent the forward end thereof.

4. In combination with a locomotive having a rebox and a tender provided with an apertured floor with a fuel bunker thereabove, a conveying system for transferring fuel from the bunker to said firebox comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit leading forwardly from the tender and at its forward end being universally connected to the rearward end of the first named conduit, said second named conduit including an open mouth trough disposed on the tender beneath the apertured floor to receive fuel directly from said bunker, said second named conduit at the under side of its rearward end being provided with a member having a convexly curved spherical surface, means carried by said tender having a concave spherical surface form ing a seat in ywhich is received the convexly curved spherical surface of said member whereby said conduit is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis and also about a transversely extending horizontal axis, the depth of engagement of said complementary spherical surfaces being no greater than the radius of curvature of said spherical surfaces, such mounting of the conduit restraining fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof and also movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis.

5. In combination with a locomotive having a iirebox and a tender provided with an apertured fioor with a fuel bunker thereabove, a conveying system for transferring fuel from the bunker to said firebox comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit leading forwardly from the tender and at its forward end being universally connected to the rearward end of the rst named conduit, said second named conduit including an open mouth trough disposed on the tender beneath the apertured floor to receive fuel directly from said bunker, said second named conduit at the under side of its rearward end being provided with a member having a convexly curved spherical surface, means carried by said tender having a concave spherical surface forming a seat in which is received the convexly curved spherical surface of said member whereby said conduit is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis and also about a transversely extending horizontal axis, the depth of engagement of said complementary spherical surfaces being no greater than the radius of curvature of said spherical surfaces, such mounting of the conduit restraining fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof and also movement about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis, said second named conduit being extensible and contractible intermediate the ends thereof.

JOSEPH B. MACKENZIE. 

